Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver will not mind leaving Team Katusha to fulfill his Tour de France goal
After securing the top overall position at the UCI World Tour Elite Men ranking, El Purito Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver was disappointed for his team not being able to secure the UCI World Tour licence.
The cyclist has decided to leave the Russian side, Team Katusha in order to fulfil his dream of riding the Tour de France in the season ahead.
Rodriguez bagged a total number of 692 UCI points after his several to performances in the season and made the maximum contribution to help his team with the much required UCI points.
However, despite the fact that the team occupied the second position after the UCI World Tour team’s rankings, UCI decided to deprive the team from its world tour status for the new season without giving an appropriate reason.
Team Saxo-Tinkoff and Team Lotto were in competition for the World Tour spot and it was believed that either one of the two teams will be granted the permission to enjoy the top level of the sport.
Whereas, UCI shocked the whole cycling world by granting both the team’s request rejecting the second ranked World Tour side, Team Katusha’s request.
After finishing second overall at the Giro d’Italia and third overall at the Vuelta a Espana 2012 Rodriguez was definitely not hoping to wait for a wild-card entry to ensure his participation at World Tour races for the new season.
His other performances in 2012 include first place finishes at the La Fleche Wallonne, Giro di Lombardia and multiple stage victories at the Tour of the Basque Country, Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a Espana 2012.
While commenting on his plans for 2013, the 33 year old stated, “I know it's a very difficult challenge. But next year the Tour has a very hilly course that may be extraordinary for me. This is my desire,” he said, but admitted, "It is a difficult time.”
Former cyclist Angel Edo, who is currently Rodriguez’s agent stated, “The Tour next year is perfect for him. He is 33 and cannot pass up an opportunity like this”.
“You cannot sacrifice the season pending an invitation, which is awarded in the spring. Because preparing to contest the Giro is completely different than if you leave the Italian race and focus on the Tour,” he concluded.
Although Team Katusha has already appealed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport to get its World Tour issue resolved but it seems as if the team’s star rider, El Purito Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver will not be around for the final decision
Finding a new home is not really a problem for the Spaniard who is a UCI point scoring machine and hardly puts a foot wrong all through the season.
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